Hey Reader,

With everything going on right now, I know you’re doing your best to stay afloat while also moving your work forward.

The weight of this moment is even greater if you’re leading a team. You may wonder how to help your people who are overwhelmed. Here are a few tips for getting started.

Step 1

Acknowledge that we’re in a challenging season that may trigger a range of thoughts and emotions. This is a natural response to stress. Stick to the facts about what’s happening and how it may impact your team, and acknowledge what you don’t know.

Example Script: “I recognize it may be hard to wrap our heads around all the changes happening with ABC. Despite the challenges, our mission to do XYZ remains the same, and I really appreciate your hard work. Please know I’m here for you, and my door is open if you need support during this time.”

You don’t need to have all the answers or be someone’s hero. Simply create space to acknowledge, listen, and learn from your team.

Step 2

Identify what’s in your control by asking your team two key questions:

1. What’s your biggest challenge at work right now?
2. What’s one thing that would make work work better for you right now?

These questions allow you to take meaningful and manageable action immediately. Keeping the process super simple is key to skillfully navigating overwhelm when you’re already stretched too thin.

Some ways to do this include an anonymous survey, one-on-one conversations, or an open discussion during a team meeting.

Acknowledge and express gratitude for the feedback you receive. Be clear about what you can and can’t do. Communicate and keep your team informed about your progress.

Step 3

Identify the resources you have to start addressing your team's challenges. Focus on quick and impactful wins—actions you can take this week and over the next 30, 60, and 90 days. Examples include:

• Reminding your team about available support through benefits such as health insurance or employee assistance programs
• Adjusting workloads
• Providing uninterrupted deep work blocks
• Being flexible with work schedules
• Having fewer and more effective meetings

Next Steps

This exercise may reveal things you can’t control or address right away, but it also helps you identify a few things you can do now and lays the groundwork for a longer-term plan.

However, this exercise isn’t a substitute for a formal Organizational Well-Being Strategy and ongoing support for your team. Many organizations try to create a sustainable culture of well-being on their own but only scratch the surface.

This is why I offer organizational well-being assessments and support teams in developing and implementing long-term well-being strategies.

Workplace well-being involves more than flexible schedules, occasional lunch-and-learns, and branded swag. You can’t address the deeply rooted challenges of workplace mental health and well-being with quick fixes.

A formal strategy outlines the steps to advance well-being in your organization during challenging times and beyond. It clarifies your priorities and tasks to achieve your goals, holding you and your organization accountable. Your strategy also helps integrate well-being activities into your organization at all levels while allocating appropriate resources. This type of planning shifts you away from superficial wellness benefits and occasional one-off activities to embedding well-being into the core of your organization.

If you’re overwhelmed with where to start, I recommend beginning with the three steps above. If you need additional support for yourself or your team to navigate this season, I’m here for you.

You got this!

Meico

About Meico

I’m Meico Marquette Whitlock.

Imagine a world where leaders and teams don’t just grind through the day but thrive in their work, without sacrificing their well-being. That’s the world I’m working to create.

I’m here to help you embody what it means to truly thrive and know your well-being is your greatest asset.

As a workplace well-being strategist, I’m on a mission to help purpose-driven leaders rewrite the narrative of success. I believe that impactful work doesn’t have to come at the cost of your health or happiness, and I’ve made it my life’s work to show you how.

I’m the founder and CEO of Mindful Techie, author of How to Thrive When Work Doesn’t Love You Back and The Intention Planner, and a certified trauma-informed mindfulness teacher.

I partner with mission-driven organizations to create cultures where belonging, balance, and purpose take center stage. In a world full of burnout and overwhelm, I help you navigate life, work, and technology in harmony.

During my previous career in the tech, nonprofit, and government sectors, I experienced more than my fair share of burnout and overwhelm in the name of making a difference. As a recovering workaholic, I use what I’ve learned to help changemakers like you make an impact without self-sacrifice.

I partner with you to create strategies and deliver programs that help your team scale impact while sustaining the right balance between life, work, and technology in today’s changing world.

I have worked with organizations such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Cigna, and Greenpeace, and have been a featured speaker on ABC News, Fox 5, and Radio One. I'm also a former triathlete, love salsa dancing, and make the world’s best vegan chili! :-)

Are you ready to prioritize your well-being and elevate your well-doing? Let’s get started!

Did someone forward this email to you? Subscribe for free here!​